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Skip the Gym and Burn Calories in Your Apartment

By on April 30, 2012

This is a guest post by Annette Smith.

Everyone knows the importance of exercise. The benefits are well-documented. Exercise boosts energy, controls weight, improves heart health, builds muscle and bone strength, fights infection, lifts mood and more.

Many people get their workouts by going to the gym or taking an exercise class. Others head outside for a walk, jog or bicycle ride. These places are great exercise environments, but they can be enhanced with workout space at home.

Some homes have a room filled with fitness equipment, wall mirrors and workout gear. Most apartment dwellers do not have the luxury or budget for an entire fitness room, but they can carve out a small space for exercise workouts.

Planning Home Exercise Space

The intensity and size of a workout space depends on factors such as fitness level, budget and available space. Some apartments are small and space is limited, but it usually possible to find an area for weights or a yoga mat. Larger areas can accommodate home gym equipment, a television and a DVD player.

House plants and scented candles are great additions to a home exercise space. They contribute to a sense of peace, relaxation and meditation. Mirrors are a good idea if space allows, since they enable exercisers to examine their form during an exercise move.

Choosing Home Exercise Equipment

Depending on personal fitness goals and preferences, apartment dwellers may want to purchase exercise equipment for their home workout space. Jump ropes are great for high-intensity aerobic exercise, while mini-trampolines work well for mid-intensity workouts. Strength training requires free weights or resistance bands. Free weights can be stored under beds or on closet floors.

An exercise ball is good for working on core strength, and exercise DVDs provide instruction and motivation. Yoga or exercise mats provide a safe, comfortable exercise spot. People can buy most of these items for $50 or less at sporting good stores and online retailers.

Total body gyms are easy and convenient to use, and they take up very little space. They are available as bench or door gyms. These workout systems are ideal for strengthening and toning the body. Combined with aerobic activity, they can produce amazing fitness changes. People can find used or sale-priced equipment online for around $75. New models cost slightly more.

Quick Home Exercise Workouts

Ten minutes is not a very long time, but it is long enough to tone the body and jump-start its metabolism. Short workouts can accomplish small fitness goals such as burning extra calories, toning muscles and improving flexibility. Best of all, quick exercise sessions can be done right at home.

A quick cardio blast burns calories and boosts heart health. People who alternate two minutes of rope jumping or stair running with push-ups and squats can burn 150 calories in ten minutes.

A short workout can also strengthen and tone the body. A continuous move through a series of exercises is the goal. Apartment strength training sessions should include wall squats, push-ups, lunges, dead lifts, shoulder raises, triceps dips and crunches. All of these exercises can be performed with some bands and a mat.

Flexibility exercises stretch and lengthen the body’s major muscles: hamstrings, triceps, shoulders, quadriceps and spine. They are good for pre-exercise warm-ups and post-workout cool downs. Stretches should be slow and held for one minute on each side of the body.

While short exercise sessions are beneficial as stand-alone activities, they are ideal complements to longer aerobic workouts. Quick workouts can be done in the apartment any time, and they work well to fill the gaps between outdoor activities or trips to the gym.

Annette Smith is a San Antonio-based freelance writer on behalf of Houston Apartment Insiders. The Houston Apartment Insiders team has over 30 years experience helping apartment dwellers find their perfect home in Houston at no cost.

Categories: Guest Post6 Comments

GAP Insurance Basics

By on April 19, 2012

This is a guest post.

It can seem a bit overwhelming with so many different types of car insurance policies to choose from. The good news is that with just a little bit of basic information you can have an understanding of auto insurance coverage and what you may need. One of those strange policies is GAP insurance.

So, what is GAP insurance?

  • GAP insurance actually stands for Guaranteed Auto Protection. Many drivers believe it means filling in the gaps that other types of car insurance policies leave out. That is not the case. There are a few different circumstances that someone would need GAP insurance coverage and you will see it really does help fill in some gaps.
  • GAP insurance actually covers the difference between a car’s actual value and the amount owed on the car. Since a standard auto insurance policy would only cover the book value of the car should something happen. GAP insurance covers that remaining balance. If you don’t carry this policy, you could be financially responsible for thousands of dollars out of your own pocket.
  • The most common use is when you buy a brand new car. Once you drive your car off the lot, the amount you owe and the actual value of the car are no longer equal. In fact, there is actually usually quite a big difference. If you have a wreck and the car is totaled – your GAP insurance would pay the difference between the value and the amount owed on the car. Without GAP auto insurance coverage, that difference is still yours to pay. This is also true for coverage if the vehicle is stolen and not recovered.
  • Another term you may hear associated with GAP insurance is “upside down auto loan” or “upside down trade in”. Auto insurance policies cover the market value of the car or the cost to repair your car. They pick the least expensive of these two. Because of depreciate there is a good possibility that your market value is less than what you still owe on your loan. A GAP insurance policy covers you in the event that this happens.
  • If you get a car and intend to put a great deal of mileage on it for work or travel the value of the car will quickly depreciate. Even if you start with a vehicle loan that is close to or under the value of the car, or if you do anything to it that could quickly depreciate the value, you will probably want to carry GAP insurance coverage.

Whatever the reason, GAP insurance basics are intended to help you realize the importance of this type of coverage. Without it, you could end up paying a great deal of money from your own pocket to pay for damages to a vehicle you no longer have in your possession.

Keep in mind, some lenders will actually require you to carry GAP insurance as part of your coverage if you are getting a car that is financed or leased. When in doubt ask and find out if it is required. Even if it is not mandatory but you feel you’re a driver who fits into a demographic of someone who needs extra policy protection, you should strongly consider getting the coverage. When it comes auto insurance, make sure you have all the protection you need on the open road.

This is a guest post.

Categories: Guest Post2 Comments

Three Tips for Maintaining Your Health Goals this Summer

By on April 9, 2012

For many of us, the arrival of warmer weather causes an array of emotions and thoughts to occur. We love the summer—the long days, the warm weather, the outdoor barbeques, and the toes in the water. No doubt, there’s a lot to love about this season.

And, as summer starts to find us with full force, many of us turn our minds to getting healthy, losing weight, feeling confident in our short shorts, and eating fresh summer fruits. There’s just something about this season that inspires a healthy attitude and body. However, oftentimes we find ourselves in a rush to reach our summertime health goals in just the three short months the season gives us.

Rather than throwing together a weight loss plan and health regimen, use these tips to create health goals that you can maintain and make work year round.

Think Lifestyle Change, Not Diet Change

The biggest mistake that dieters make is thinking that they can simply change the things they eat and how they eat and become instantly healthy and "thin". Becoming healthy is about more than just losing weight and in this way it is more about changing your lifestyle than changing your diet. Sure, a diet every now and again can get you to lose weight. There’s no doubt there.

However, in order to make permanent changes you’ll have to embrace a lifestyle change. It’s not just about weight loss; it’s about becoming a happier and healthier person. Make a commitment to your health. You can choose a diet that you think will work for you, but you should also look into your activities levels, your mindset, what types of foods you eat, and where your weaknesses are. A health mindset that focuses on your lifestyle will set you up for permanent changes for the better.

Be Reasonable with Goal Setting

Setting goals is an essential aspect of becoming healthy—we all know this.

However, most of us struggle with setting the right goals and sticking to them. You want to reach for goals that are challenging, but attainable. Setting yourself up for failure is the easiest way to feel lousy about yourself and lost track of your health plan. You should absolutely set short term goals that get you through each week.

But, like anything in life, you must also set long term goals that give those short term goals purpose. You want to become a more confident and healthy individual. Set specific goals for yourself that define what it is you want out of your health regimen and that communicate what you want that. Motives are important when it comes to getting healthy.

Track Your Progress

Staying carefully organized with your goals and your progress is a very important step within your health plan.

Create a food journal where you keep track of the foods you eat, when you eat, and how much you eat. In that journal you should weigh yourself regularly and measure inches lost and gained. Just knowing what your body does, what you appetite is, and how your body responds to your appetite will be as valuable as a diet.

Seeing your progress throughout your health campaign can be a great way to stay motivated and educated about your body. Try to keep a log of your exercise routines. All of this information helps you determine what types of activity and diets work best for you and give you a clear picture of your status.

This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, who writes on the topics of online universities advice.

Categories: Guest Post, Health2 Comments

5 Ways to Create the Perfect Work-Life Balance

By on March 13, 2012

This is a guest post from Carrie Smith from Careful Cents.

As a full-time accountant by day and financial blogger at night, I have to consciously think about my work-life balance. I love to work, be productive and cross things off my to-do list. However, I tend to be a bit of a workaholic and forget that I need to cultivate a social life as well. Since acknowledging this problem, I’ve been striving to create a better work-life balance.

Here’s how I do it…

1. Work for an employer who understands balance. Thankfully, I work for an amazing boss. She understands the value of taking time off and what it means to put family first. Several years ago, I found myself focusing way too much of my time and energy on my job. I was losing contact with my friends, getting sick more often and constantly feeling stressed.

So I asked my boss if I could cut back to working four-10 hour work days, instead of the usual five-8 hour days. You won’t believe how having that extra “free” day open to run errands or meet friends for coffee, can be so relaxing. Good employers want happy and productive employees, and the best way to get that, is to understand a good work-life balance.

2. Schedule in your down time. If you want to take a break or go on a vacation, then set aside the time and schedule it. The main reason many of us get things done at work is because that’s the time allotted to do it. To create that perfect work-life balance you have to schedule in play time, just like you do work time.

Couples should set time aside for a regular date night, and families should pencil in an activity together, like a game night or Sunday brunch. It gives everyone something to look forward to and strengthens the relationships.

3. Let go of unproductive habits. In this world of social media, news programs and television, everything is vying for our attention. We are constantly distracted and pulled in different directions. While some of these outlets are worthwhile, many of them just add a lot of stress noise.

Unsubscribe from mailing lists, curb your time on the web and limit yourself when checking Twitter and Facebook. Multi-tasking is one of my big unproductive habits. It spreads my focus and effort on too many tasks at once, and keeps me from getting anything done at all. Let go of your unproductive and time consuming habits. Focus your attention in the moment, with the task at hand.

4. Set reasonable limits and stick to them. If you have a demanding schedule or overbearing boss, it’s time to express your limits and stick to them. Don’t allow your work to bleed into your personal life. Set a firm cut off time, where you put down the cell phone, unplug your computer and enjoy life. Don’t take on more than you can handle at your job, always under-promise and over-deliver. It will keep you striving to do your best, but it won’t overwhelm you and push you past your limits.

5. Create a serenity zone at home. Your home is supposed to be a place of peace, but for most of us, it’s a war zone and the center of constant conflict. Simplify your home life by turning it into a place of serenity, a retreat from the outside stress and noise.

Small things like lighting candles, eating dinner with your family, and reading at night before bed, all create an atmosphere of relaxation. They help to calm your mind and relieve your body of any tension. I’ve learned sometimes it’s more important to leave the chores till morning, and focus on time with your friends and family.

Getting the perfect work-life balance

I have by no means created my perfect balance story yet, but I’m always working towards it. There will always be things we can do better and improve on, but the important thing is we keep trying.

Find those things that bring balance to your life and cultivate them. Never let your job or life pressures throw you too far out of balance. If you feel yourself tilting to one side or another, try implementing some of these tips to keep your zen intact.

How do you find that perfect work-life balance?

Carrie Smith, is the writer behind the Careful Cents personal finance blog. She’s a Certified Bookkeeper and Tax Consultant who loves to travel. She’s also a career junkie, social media addict, debt hater and food lover. She regularly writes for Yahoo!Finance and PerkStreet Financial. Find her on Twitter and Facebook.

Categories: Balance, Work8 Comments

Pros and Cons of Taking Out a Loan

By on February 5, 2012

This is a guest post by Daniel Kidd.

If you buy a house or a car, chances are you are going to take out a loan to do it. People take out loans for many other purposes as well: to go to school, to take a vacation or to start their own business. Taking out a loan has both pros and cons, and you should study those carefully before making a decision.

Probably the biggest con of taking out a loan is the finance charge. Banks and other lenders make money off of loans by requiring the borrower to pay back more than he borrows.This makes it extremely important to make sure you get the lowest interest rate possible for your loan.

Price comparison sites are a good way to help you do this. You can compare unsecured loans — those that require no collateral — and secured loans to find the one with the best interest rate. For example, a 1-point difference in the interest rate on a $100,000 30-year mortgage can save you more than $20,000 over the life of the loan. When you compare unsecured loans, you won’t save as much money, but you could still save hundreds of dollars.

Loans also carry fees, which is another con of taking out a loan. For a mortgage, the fees can run into the thousands of dollars for things such as an appraisal, title search and an inspection. Most other loans require at least a credit check, for which the lender will charge you.

Another con of taking out a loan is the legal commitment you are making. You are agreeing to make regular payments over a certain amount of time until the loan is paid off. If you fail to meet those commitments, the lender can repossess your car or home, in the case of a secured loan, or file a lawsuit against you, in the case of an unsecured loan. In either case, failure to repay will hurt your credit score and make it harder to get credit in the future.

On the other hand, if you make your payments on time and fulfill the terms of the loan contract, it will help you build a solid history and a good credit score. This is one definite pro of taking out a loan.

Another pro of taking out a loan is that it allows you to buy something or pursue a dream that you might not otherwise have been able to do. For the average person, it would take many, many years to save up enough money to buy a decent house with cash. Also, many people wouldn’t be able to afford to go to college without a student loan. And if you want to start your own business, a loan may be the only way you can get enough money to cover start-up costs to get it off the ground.

This is a guest post by Daniel Kidd.

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